Ward Mtn. Campground (Murray Summit)

Star4.51
243 reviews
825 AVENUE E, ELY, NV, 89301, USA
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Quick Facts

7,400 ft

Price

$12 - $75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Ward Mtn. Campground (Murray Summit)
$12.00 - $75.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Rates range from $12 for standard non-electric and RV sites to $75 for group areas. Senior pass holders receive a 50% discount.
Standard Site Fee$12.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$75.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
775-289-3031
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What Campers Say

4.51

Top-Rated

Based on 243 reviews

168 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspaciouswell-maintainedsites

Some mention

noise

"The campground is generally praised for its cleanliness, spacious sites, and accessibility to outdoor activities. Common themes include the lack of water, the presence of clean vault toilets, and the quality of hiking and biking trails."

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Campground Map

825 AVENUE E, ELY, NV, 89301, USA

Ward Mtn. Campground (Murray Summit)

825 AVENUE E, ELY, NV, 89301, USA

Driving directionsFrom Ely, travel south on Highway 6 for 10 miles. Turn left just before Murray Summit, at the sign for the recreation area. From Las Vegas, travel north on Highway 93 for about 86 miles, to the junction with State Route 318. Follow State Route 318 north for 124 miles, to Murray Summit. Turn right at the sign for the recreation area.
The campground is accessible via paved roads, with a short gravel road leading to the campground itself. Some user reviews mention washboarding on the gravel road, advising a slow approach.
Nearby places
Ely (10 miles, approximately 15 minutes driving time)
Nearby supplies
Gas stations, Ridley's Market for groceries, and other supplies are located in Ely, 10 miles from the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Ward Mtn. Campground (Murray Summit)

Experience the dramatic temperature swings that make high-altitude camping an adventure at Ward Mountain. Summer days warm the sagebrush-scented air, perfect for trail exploration, before giving way to crisp, star-filled nights that call for cozy campfires and warm sleeping bags. Spring and fall visitors should come prepared for Mother Nature's surprises – at 7,400 feet, morning frost can dust your tent like powdered sugar, and unexpected snow flurries may transform the landscape into a temporary winter wonderland, adding an element of excitement to shoulder-season camping.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Summer has hot days but cool nights; trails accessible and campground busy in season.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 14% in NV

Reviews: spring and fall highly recommended for cooler temps and fewer bugs.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring recommended for cooler temps and fewer bugs; trails good in shoulder season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Winter brings freezing temps and snow; limited access and not prime for typical camping.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 15, 2025 - September 30, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season runs from May 15 to September 30 for reservations, with first-come-first-served availability in shoulder season.
  • Current Alerts: Alerts include seasonal water availability issues due to well pump repairs.

About Ward Mtn. Campground (Murray Summit)

Escape to Ward Mountain Campground, a hidden gem nestled 10 miles southwest of Ely, Nevada, where the high desert meets the sky at 7,400 feet. This peaceful retreat invites adventurers to explore miles of scenic trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding through Nevada's rugged beauty. Each thoughtfully spaced campsite comes equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, creating the perfect basecamp for starlit evenings and morning coffee with mountain views. Modern vault toilets ensure comfort during your stay, while spacious group sites welcome gatherings of up to 100 people, making it ideal for family reunions, club outings, or wilderness weddings under the vast Nevada sky.
Ward Mountain Campground accommodates tent, RV, and group camping. It includes single-family sites and three large group sites that can host up to 100 people. Primitive camping is not explicitly described.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum stay limit is 14 nights.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Ward Mountain Campground offers a rich variety of outdoor activities for campers, including hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The trail network features extensive routes through scenic high desert terrain. Wildlife viewing and horseshoe pits are also available.
HikingMiles of trails for hiking are accessible directly from the campground. User reviews highlight their quality, saying: "Great hiking trails," "Trail network for hiking, biking, horses leaves from the campground," and "I climbed the G loop right out of the campground... the views and downhill were well worth it."
FishingFishing is available at nearby attractions like Comins Lake (13 miles away) and Cave Lake State Park (less than 20 miles away). Both locations offer fishing opportunities for species like trout and bass.
BikingThe campground features biking trails that cater to various skill levels. User reviews describe them as "Excellent bike trails among medium growth cedar" and "Great biking trails everywhere."
BoatingBoating is available at nearby Comins Lake and Cave Lake State Park. "Comins Lake is about 13 miles from the campground offering boating," noted the official sources.
Wildlife viewingThe campground is described as an excellent location for observing wildlife, with mentions of bird species like the Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay in user reviews.
Cultural and Educational ProgramsNearby Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park offers historic stone ovens and an interpretive trail, providing opportunities for cultural and educational exploration.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSome reviews mention fire bans during high winds, aggressive mosquitoes at dawn and dusk, and occasional washboarding on access roads.
Active AlertsAlerts include seasonal water availability issues due to well pump repairs.

Weather at Ward Mtn. Campground (Murray Summit)

Reviews

4.5
243 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Ward Mtn. Campground (Murray Summit) is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
The campground is generally praised for its cleanliness, spacious sites, and accessibility to outdoor activities. Common themes include the lack of water, the presence of clean vault toilets, and the quality of hiking and biking trails.
Review Summaries
Based on 243 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean vault toilets, spacious campsites, accessible trails, and proximity to Ely for supplies are frequent positives. "One of the cleanest and well-maintained Forest Service campgrounds I have been...
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Based on 243 reviews

Common Concerns

The lack of water has been consistently noted: "Currently NO WATER so come prepared." Other complaints include occasional generator noise, rowdy group sites, and mild traffic noise from nearby...
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Based on 243 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own water due to recurring pump issues; generators may run frequently in certain areas; proximity to Ely allows for quick access to supplies.
Based on 243 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall are highly recommended due to cooler temperatures and fewer bugs. Summer reviews highlight hot days but cool nights. Winter brings challenges like freezing temperatures and snow....
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Based on 243 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Cleanest pit toilets I have ever experienced." "Sites are well spaced, separated by junipers and pines." "Dry camping for senior pass is only $4 a night." "Currently NO WATER so come prepared."
Based on 243 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific feedback highlights spacious layouts and cleanliness, with reservations advisable for group sites. A review for site 016 notes, "Clean and orderly campground." For site 028, "This was...
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Based on 243 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible vault toilets and picnic areas cater to campers with disabilities. "Accessible pit toilets and picnic areas" were highlighted in official descriptions.
Based on 243 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but some reviews warned about stickers and thorns in the area that could affect pets.
Based on 243 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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